01-10-2003, 12:01 AM
Bob and Eugene,
I did not mean to say as a truth that the orders were plated before being enameled. I said that TO ME, it could make sense if in some cases they were.
When I refered to the Red Star or the Order of Glory II class, I took these specific orders for ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES of something I was explaining. If anybody practices enameling, s/he will be more than familiar with "fondant". In my experience, the Order of the Red Star is the one on which you can usually see the remnants of the fondant very easily, hence its mention. The Order of Glory II class was mentioned because, as I mentioned, I seem to remember reading that these were first plated before being enameled. Once again this is only some recollection I have, but, should it be true, this order is then a good illustration of the process.
Now, there seems to be quite a bit of misconception regarding enamels and enameling. Unless enameling is done poorly (and I would not bet a single kopeck on that when it comes to Monetniy Dvor), the enamel actually melts and sticks to the metal, which is the reason you cannot simply remove it with your finger. It forms a microscopic bond with the metal. It is then impossible for any plating to "creep under". If someone finds plating UNDER the enamel, the ONLY WAY it got there was by plating the piece first.
Now, if anybody can explain and illustrate another way of doing so, I'll gladly pack up my 25+ years of experience in enameling and flatly apologize for misleading this forum.
Marc
I did not mean to say as a truth that the orders were plated before being enameled. I said that TO ME, it could make sense if in some cases they were.
When I refered to the Red Star or the Order of Glory II class, I took these specific orders for ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES of something I was explaining. If anybody practices enameling, s/he will be more than familiar with "fondant". In my experience, the Order of the Red Star is the one on which you can usually see the remnants of the fondant very easily, hence its mention. The Order of Glory II class was mentioned because, as I mentioned, I seem to remember reading that these were first plated before being enameled. Once again this is only some recollection I have, but, should it be true, this order is then a good illustration of the process.
Now, there seems to be quite a bit of misconception regarding enamels and enameling. Unless enameling is done poorly (and I would not bet a single kopeck on that when it comes to Monetniy Dvor), the enamel actually melts and sticks to the metal, which is the reason you cannot simply remove it with your finger. It forms a microscopic bond with the metal. It is then impossible for any plating to "creep under". If someone finds plating UNDER the enamel, the ONLY WAY it got there was by plating the piece first.
Now, if anybody can explain and illustrate another way of doing so, I'll gladly pack up my 25+ years of experience in enameling and flatly apologize for misleading this forum.
Marc
